βῆμα

A. step, pace, h.Merc. 222, 345, Pi. P. 3.43, A. Ch. 799 (lyr.); σπουδῇ . . βημάτων πορεύεται E. Andr. 880; τοσόνδε β. διαβεβηκώς Ar. Eq. 73; footfall, ἐρατὸν βᾶμα Sapph. Supp. 5.17; Διὸς εὔφρονι βήματι μολεῖν to journey under the kindly guidance of Zeus, S. El. 163 (lyr.); gait, β. οὐκ ὀρθόν Hippiatr. 27.

2. step, as a measure of length, = 10 παλαισταί, about 2 1/2 feet, Hero *Deff. 131.

3. metaph., step, 'moment', πρόοδος ἐν τρισὶ β. διισταμένη Dam. Pr. 258.

II. = βάθρον, step, seat, S. OC 193 (lyr.).

2. raised place or tribune to speak from in a public assembly, etc., Th. 2.34, LXX Ne. 8.4, etc.; in the Pnyx at Athens, ἐπὶ τὸ β. ἀναβῆναι enter public life, D. 18.66; αἱ ἀπὸ τοῦ β. ἐλπίδες Id. 4.45; also in the lawcourts, Id. 48.31, Aeschin. 3.207; of a suppliant, ἐπὶ τοῦ β. καθεδούμενον Ar. Pl. 382; in the βουλευτήριον, Antipho 6.40.

b. tribunal of a magistrate, τοῦ ἡγεμόνος β. PTeb. 434 (ii A. D.).

3. = θυμέλη, Poll. 4.123; β. θεήτρου IG 3.239.

4. base, pedestal, OGI 219.36 (Ilium, iii B. C.), 299.15 (Pergam., ii B. C.).